System and Method for Providing Location-Dependent Data Recording Modes

ABSTRACT

A method for providing location-dependent recording modes for an event detection and reporting system of a vehicle includes detecting that the vehicle is approaching or is in an area in which the recordation of data is restricted by rule, and operating the event detection and reporting system in a restricted mode in response to detecting that the vehicle is approaching or is in the area in which the recordation of data is restricted. The method also includes recording, while the event detection and reporting system is in the restricted mode, either correlated video or non-video data in an obscured format, and the other of the correlated video or non-video in an unobscured format.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to providing location-dependent data recordingmodes and, in particular, to providing location-dependent data recordingmodes which allow a vehicle to adhere to location-dependent recordingrestrictions, while at the same time providing a gapless, correlateddata set to facilitate post-processing and data analysis.

BACKGROUND

Current methods of capturing driving and vehicle event data relating toa detected event include the capturing of video data and GPSinformation. However, certain geographic areas, such as military bases,may not allow video recording or other data collection in or around suchareas. Similarly, the capturing of video, GPS or other data may be timerestricted for a given location, for example when sensitive activitiesare scheduled to occur at a given location.

The current approach for adhering to such restrictions is to simply turnoff the vehicle's recording system. However, aside from theinconvenience of having to manually operate the vehicle's recordingsystem, this known approach can be overly restrictive in that evenpermissible data is not collected while the vehicle's recording systemis turned off. Moreover, even if non-video and/or non-GPS data continuesto be collected while the vehicle's recording system is turned off,there will still be holes in or desynchronization of the data sincethere is no corresponding video and/or GPS data to associate with anyother event data that may have been collected.

As such, there is a need in the art for a system and method thatovercomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, a method for providinglocation-dependent recording modes for an event detection and reportingsystem of a vehicle includes operating the event detection and reportingsystem in an unrestricted mode in which video data captured by a cameraand non-video data captured by one or more sensors are correlated andrecorded in one or more memory modules of the system in an unobscuredformat. The method includes detecting that the vehicle is approaching oris in an area in which the recordation of data is restricted by rule,and operating the event detection and reporting system in a restrictedmode in response to detecting that the vehicle is approaching or is inthe area in which the recordation of data is restricted. While the eventdetection and reporting system is in the restricted mode, the methodincludes recording either of the correlated video or non-video data inthe one or more memory modules in an obscured format, and recording theother of the correlated video or non-video data in an unobscured format.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of one ormore preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates one embodiment of avehicle-based computer system configured to implement one or moreaspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of simplified map data usable to implementon or more aspects of the invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a process for implementing one ormore aspects of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the present invention reference is madeto the accompanying figures which form a part thereof, and in which isshown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments illustrating theprinciples of the present invention and how it is practiced. Otherembodiments can be utilized to practice the present invention andstructural and functional changes can be made thereto without departingfrom the scope of the present invention

In certain embodiments, the invention may be implemented by anon-vehicle event detection and reporting system that may include one ormore forward facing cameras that are configured such that the field ofview of the camera(s) captures the scene ahead of the vehicle from, forexample, the perspective of a driver of the vehicle. Also, one or moredriver facing cameras may be used to capture a view of the driver of thevehicle, and/or a view of other areas of the cabin, as the drivercontrols the vehicle while driving. Still other embodiments may includecameras configured to capture other scenes relative to the vehicle. Forinstance, embodiments may include cameras configured to capture thescene behind the vehicle, to either side of the vehicle, etc.

The event detection and reporting system may be further configured tocollect and provide non-video data, including non-video event-based datacorresponding to a detected driving or vehicle event that occurred at aparticular point in time during a driving excursion. Such event-baseddata can include data collected from components of, or componentsinteracting with, the event detection and reporting system.

These components can detect, in real time, driving or vehicle-relatedevents that happen over the course of a driving excursion. Thecomponents can report such events to the event detection and reportingsystem. Examples of events that may be reported to/collected by theevent detection and reporting system in real time include, for exampleand without limitation, excessive acceleration, excessive braking,exceeding speed limit, excessive curve speed, excessive lane departure,lane change without turn signal, loss of video tracking, LDW systemwarning, following distance alert, forward collision warning, collisionmitigation braking, etc.

In accordance with an embodiment, the event detection and reportingsystem may use data collected directly from vehicle components (e.g.,devices, sensors, or systems), and data collected from an analysis ofvehicle video, to generate event datasets that correspond in time withone or more detected driving events. Event data generated for a detectedevent may be associated with captured video frames whose timeline spansor overlaps the time when the event was detected/collected. Event datagenerated from an event determined from processing of captured vehiclevideo may at least be associated with the video from which it wasgenerated, but may also be associated with other captured video frameswhose timelines span or overlap the time when the event wasdetected/collected (in these scenarios, the time may be calculated basedon the video frame or frames from which the event object was derived).

The particular invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to asystem and method for providing location-dependent data recording modeswhich allows a vehicle to adhere to location-dependent recordingrestrictions, such as video recording restrictions, while at the sametime generating a gapless, correlated data set to facilitatepost-processing and data analysis. In certain embodiments, this isachieved by entering a different mode of recording in response todetecting that a restricted area has been entered or approached. Thisdifferent mode of recording is characterized by the fact that one ormore video signal production settings of the camera in question is/arealtered in a manner which obscures the recorded image data. For example,modern imager chips have settings that control the video signalproduced, including gain, exposure time, black clamping level, etc. Oneaspect of the invention is to provide a mode of recording in which oneor more of these setting is modified (e.g., very low or very high gain,for example) in response to detecting a video-recording-restricted area.As such, unlike the prior art approach, a video signal is stillproduced, thereby preserving recording format and time integrity, but inmanner which otherwise complies with the detected video recordingrestriction.

In the context of a location-recording-restricted area (i.e., an areawhose location is prohibited from being recorded or reported), anotheraspect of the invention is to provide a GPS location recording mode inwhich the precision of the data is intentionally obscured, such as byrounding, approximation, or correlated random noise addition. As such,the system will still provide an approximate value for location, withprecision/noise level as desired, again maintaining data format and timeintegrity, while at the same time adhering to the known restriction.Other embodiments are described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 1-3.

Referring first to FIG. 1, by way of overview a schematic block diagramis provided illustrating details of an event detection and reportingsystem configured to be used in accordance with one or more exemplaryembodiments of the invention. The in-vehicle event detection andreporting system 100 may be adapted to detect a variety of operationalparameters and conditions of the vehicle and the driver's interactiontherewith and, based thereon, to determine if a driving or vehicle eventhas occurred (e.g., if one or more operational parameter/conditionthresholds has been exceeded). Data related to detected events (i.e.,event data) may then be stored and/or transmitted to a remotelocation/server, as described in more detail below. In an alternateembodiment, a time delay may be implemented in order to avoidtransmitting the data until the vehicle has left a restricted area, forexample.

The event detection and reporting system 100 of FIG. 1 may include oneor more devices or systems 114 for providing input data indicative ofone or more operating parameters or one or more conditions of acommercial vehicle. Alternatively, the event detection and reportingsystem 100 may include a signal interface for receiving signals from theone or more devices or systems 114, which may be configured separatefrom system 100. For example, the devices 114 may be one or moresensors, such as but not limited to, one or more wheel speed sensors116, one or more acceleration sensors such as multi-axis accelerationsensors 117, a steering angle sensor 118, a brake pressure sensor 119,one or more vehicle load sensors 120, a yaw rate sensor 121, a lanedeparture warning (LDW) sensor or system 122, one or more engine speedor condition sensors 123, and a tire pressure (TPMS) monitoring system124. The event detection and reporting system 100 may also utilizeadditional devices or sensors in the exemplary embodiment including forexample a forward distance sensor 160 and a rear distance sensor 162(e.g., radar, lidar, etc.). Other sensors and/or actuators or powergeneration devices or combinations thereof may be used of otherwiseprovided as well, and one or more devices or sensors may be combinedinto a single unit as may be necessary and/or desired.

The event detection and reporting system 100 may also include brakelight(s) 166 and/or notification device 164, and may be usable toprovide headway time/safe following distance warnings, lane departurewarnings, and warnings relating to braking and or obstacle avoidanceevents.

The event detection and reporting system 100 may also include a logicapplying arrangement such as a controller or processor 130 and controllogic 131, in communication with the one or more devices or systems 114.The processor 130 may include one or more inputs for receiving inputdata from the devices or systems 114. The processor 130 may be adaptedto process the input data and compare the raw or processed input data toone or more stored threshold values or desired averages, or to processthe input data and compare the raw or processed input data to one ormore circumstance-dependent desired value.

The processor 130 may also include one or more outputs for delivering acontrol signal to one or more vehicle systems 133 based on thecomparison. The control signal may instruct the systems 133 to provideone or more types of driver assistance warnings (e.g., warnings relatingto braking and or obstacle avoidance events) and/or to intervene in theoperation of the vehicle to initiate corrective action. For example, theprocessor 130 may generate and send the control signal to an engineelectronic control unit or an actuating device to reduce the enginethrottle 134 and slow the vehicle down. Further, the processor 130 maysend the control signal to one or more vehicle brake systems 135, 136 toselectively engage the brakes (e.g., a differential braking operation).A variety of corrective actions may be possible and multiple correctiveactions may be initiated at the same time.

The event detection and reporting system 100 may also include a memoryportion 140 for storing and accessing system information, such as forexample the system control logic 131. The memory portion 140, however,may be separate from the processor 130. The sensors 114 and processor130 may be part of a preexisting system or use components of apreexisting system.

The event detection and reporting system 100 may also include a sourceof input data 142 indicative of a configuration/condition of acommercial vehicle. The processor 130 may sense or estimate theconfiguration/condition of the vehicle based on the input data, and mayselect a control tuning mode or sensitivity based on the vehicleconfiguration/condition. The processor 130 may compare the operationaldata received from the sensors or systems 114 to the informationprovided by the tuning.

In addition, the event detection and reporting system 100 is operativelycoupled with one or more driver facing imaging devices, shown in theexample embodiment for simplicity and ease of illustration as a singledriver facing camera 145 that is trained on the driver and/or trained onthe interior of the cab of the commercial vehicle. However, it should beappreciated that one or more physical video cameras may be disposed onthe vehicle such as, for example, a video camera on each corner of thevehicle, one or more cameras mounted remotely and in operativecommunication with the event detection and reporting system 100 such asa forward facing camera 146 to record images of the roadway ahead of thevehicle. In the example embodiments, driver data can be collecteddirectly using the driver facing camera 145 in accordance with adetected driver head positon, hand position, or the like, within thevehicle being operated by the vehicle. In addition, driver identity canbe determined based on facial recognition technology and/or body/posturetemplate matching.

Still yet further, the event detection and reporting system 100 may alsoinclude a transmitter/receiver (transceiver) module 150 such as, forexample, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter including one or moreantennas 152 for wireless communication of the automated controlrequests, GPS data, one or more various vehicle configuration and/orcondition data, or the like between the vehicles and one or moredestinations such as, for example, to one or more services (not shown)having a corresponding receiver and antenna. The transmitter/receiver(transceiver) module 150 may include various functional parts of subportions operatively coupled with a platoon control unit including forexample a communication receiver portion, a global position sensor (GPS)receiver portion, and a communication transmitter. For communication ofspecific information and/or data, the communication receiver andtransmitter portions may include one or more functional and/oroperational communication interface portions as well.

The processor 130 is operative to combine selected ones of the collectedsignals from the sensor systems described above into processed datarepresentative of higher level vehicle condition data such as, forexample, data from the multi-axis acceleration sensors 117 may becombined with the data from the steering angle sensor 118 to determineexcessive (exit) curve speed event data. Alternatively or in addition,map data may be used to inform the system of an approaching road curveor corner. Other hybrid event data relatable to the vehicle and driverof the vehicle and obtainable from combining one or more selected rawdata items from the sensors includes, for example and withoutlimitation, excessive braking event data, excessive curve speed eventdata, lane departure warning event data, excessive lane departure eventdata, lane change without turn signal event data, loss of video trackingevent data, LDW system disabled event data, distance alert event data,forward collision warning event data, haptic warning event data,collision mitigation braking event data, ATC event data, ESC event data,RSC event data, ABS event data, TPMS event data, engine system eventdata, statistics for following distance event data, statistics for fuelconsumption event data, average ACC usage event data, and late speedadaptation (such as that given by signage or exiting).

The event detection and reporting system 100 of FIG. 1 is suitable forexecuting embodiments of one or more software systems or modules thatperform vehicle brake strategies and vehicle braking control methodsaccording to the subject application. The example event detection andreporting system 100 may include a bus or other communication mechanismfor communicating information, and a processor 130 coupled with the busfor processing information. The computer system includes a main memory140, such as random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage devicefor storing instructions and loaded portions of the trained neuralnetwork to be executed by the processor 130, and read only memory (ROM)or other static storage device for storing other static information andinstructions for the processor 130. Other storage devices may alsosuitably be provided for storing information and instructions asnecessary or desired.

Instructions may be read into the main memory 140 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as another storage device or via thetransceiver 150. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained inmain memory 140 causes the processor 130 to perform the process stepsdescribed herein. In an alternative implementation, hard-wired circuitrymay be used in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement the invention. Thus implementations of the example embodimentsare not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry andsoftware.

Referring now to FIG. 2, depicted is map data 200, which may preferablybe stored on the vehicle in an encrypted or otherwise restricted form.The vehicle's current location may be regularly/periodically compared tothe map data 200 to determine if the vehicle is approaching or is in avideo-recording-restricted (area 210) or in alocation-recording-restricted area (area 220). It should be appreciatedthat the map data 200 may only indicate where the mode changes shouldapply, and not details of the restricted area. Although not depicted, itshould further be appreciated that the principles of the invention areequally applicable to other types of location-based recordingrestrictions, such as areas with audio restrictions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, operation of an event detection and reportingsystem (e.g., system 100 of FIG. 1) is described in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. Operation begins at block 300 with theevent detection and reporting system operating in a first, unrestrictedmode in which video and non-video data is captured and recorded to anon-vehicle memory in an unrestricted fashion. This data may be capturedon a continuous basis or in response to a detected vehicle or drivingevent. In certain embodiments, such data may comprise a sequence ofvideo frames with separate but associated sensor data that has beencollected from one or more on-vehicle sensors or devices, as detailedabove, during a window of time in which a detected event occurred (e.g.,10 seconds before to 10 seconds after a detected event). In the case ofan on-vehicle continuous DVR memory, captured video frames and metadatamay be stored on a continuous basis, irrespective of whether an eventhas been detected or not. Video frames in the continuous DVR memory mayinclude the same type of sensor data as that stored in the event buffer,but may instead be stored as metadata in frame headers, for example.Sensor data stored in the continuous DVR memory as metadata wouldpreferably be associated with the frames of captured video that occurredat the same time as the sensor data was collected.

It should further be appreciated that both the video and non-video datamay be timestamped based on a central or common clock such that thevideo and non-video data can be cross-referenced using the timestamps.Similarly, embedded tags within the video and/or non-video data may beused to correlate the data sets. Additionally, non-video data may becorrelated to video data by storing the non-video data in the frameheaders. One or more techniques for storing video and non-video data inan associated fashion, whether in a single memory or in separatememories, are described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No.16/208,375, entitled “System and Method for Providing Complete EventData from Cross-Referenced Data Memories,” which is assigned to theassignee hereof, and the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Process 300 continues to block 320 where the event detection andreporting system detects that the vehicle is in or is approaching anarea in which data recordation is restricted in some fashion. Asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2, this may be carried out byregularly/periodically comparing the vehicle's current location andbearing to map data or table data comprising known restricted areas,such as known video-recording-restricted areas,location-recording-restricted areas, or otherwise.

In response to the event detection and reporting system detecting such arestricted area, process 300 continues to block 330 where the type ofrestriction is identified. Again, this may be determined by consultingmap data or table data stored on the vehicle, preferably in a secureform.

Once the event detection and reporting system identifies the type ofrestricted area, process 300 continues to block 340 where the eventdetection and reporting system enters a second, restricted mode in whichcaptured video and/or non-video data (whether continuous or event-based)is only recorded in a manner which complies with the identifiedrestriction.

In the case of a video-recording-restricted area, the second mode maycomprise modifying one or more image setting of the vehicle's camera,such as gain, exposure time, black clamping level, etc., in a mannerwhich obscures the recorded video data such that the details of theimagery are not readily or at all discernible to the human eye.Specifically, the second, restricted mode of recording in which one ormore of the camera image settings are modified (e.g., very low or veryhigh gain, for example) may be entered in response to detecting avideo-recording-restricted area. As such, even in avideo-recording-restricted area a video signal is produced which can bestored in a manner that preserves the recording format and anycorresponding association to non-video data captured during the time thevehicle is in the video-recording-restricted area.

In the case of a location-recording-restricted area, the second mode maycomprise obscuring the precision of GPS data captured by the vehicle,such as by rounding, approximation, or correlated random noise addition,such that the details of the restricted location is not readily or atall discernible from the recorded data. This same approach may beapplied to other recordable values, such as speed. Rounding orthresholding may reduce a continuously variable speed (or accelerationor other) value to simply zero or not zero, rounded to e.g. 0, 20, 40,60 mph, etc. Added noise may obscure details, again as required. As withthe example above, in response to detecting or approaching alocation-recording-restricted area, the GPS data may be obscured beforeit is written to an on-vehicle memory. This again preserves therecording format and any corresponding association to video or othernon-video data captured during the time the vehicle is in thelocation-recording-restricted area.

Similarly, in the case of an audio-recording restricted area, the secondmode may comprise modifying one or more audio settings(pre-amplification, main gain, noise suppression, etc.) of a microphoneto produce an obscured or even a ‘blank’ signal which can still bestored in a manner that preserves the recording format and anycorresponding association to other data.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, process 300 may then proceed to block 350with the recording of any obscured data and the unobscured data, whichmay preferably have been captured at the same time and correlated asdetailed above and as further detailed in application Ser. No.16/208,375, which was incorporated by reference above. Specifically, theobscured data and the unobscured data may be recorded to one or moreon-vehicle memories. For example, while in a video-recording-restrictedarea when the system is operating in the second, restricted mode toproduce obscured video data, such obscured data may be recorded to anon-vehicle digital video recorder (DVR) memory, which continuouslystores video data captured by an on-vehicle camera. Simultaneously,other non-video data may be stored either in the header frames of theobscured video data or in a separate buffer or memory, such as inresponse to detecting a driving or vehicle event. When the obscuredvideo data and non-video data are stored either in separate memories,the data can be accurately cross-referenced or correlated since thereare no data gaps.

It should further be appreciated that the correlated obscured andunobscured data may then be transmitted by the on-vehicle eventdetection and reporting system to a remote server at block 360 using,for example, wireless transceiver 150 of FIG. 1. This transmission ofevent data may be done automatically in response to the occurrence ofthe detected event. A delayed transmission of the data may be effected,for instance, until when the restricted area has been exited, thusproviding further obscuration.

Once the correlated event data has been transmitted from the on-vehicleevent detection and reporting system to the remote server, whetherautomatically or upon request, the data may be provided to a user-sideviewing portal or application at block 370. In certain embodiments, theviewing portal may comprise a web application provided on a usercomputer, such as the web application. It should further be appreciatedthat the viewing portal or application may be a dedicated softwareprogram executing on a computer or mobile device that is accessible tothe user. Regardless of how the data is made available to a user-sidedevice, the user will be able to view or otherwise discern only theunobstructed event data, while the details of the obscured data remainhidden in conformity with the requirements of the restricted area inquestion. And, since there are no data gaps despite at least some of thedata originating from a restricted area, the user will be able to engagein all of the same post-processing and data analysis, which is nototherwise dependent of the specific details of the obscured data.

Finally, it should further be appreciated that the system may further beconfigured to detect when the vehicle has exited the restricted areaand, in response thereto, automatically exit the second, restricted modeso that regular data capturing and recording is resumed.

As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one.The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another”is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to beinterpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination.Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; Aand C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occuronly when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are insome way inherently mutually exclusive.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certainembodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar term means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or moreembodiments without limitation.

In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the art ofcomputer programming, the invention is described below with reference tooperations that are performed by a computer system or a like electronicsystem. Such operations are sometimes referred to as beingcomputer-executed. It will be appreciated that operations that aresymbolically represented include the manipulation by a processor, suchas a central processing unit, of electrical signals representing databits and the maintenance of data bits at memory locations, such as insystem memory, as well as other processing of signals. The memorylocations where data bits are maintained are physical locations thathave particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic propertiescorresponding to the data bits.

The term “server” means a functionally-related group of electricalcomponents, such as a computer system that may or may not be connectedto a network and which may include both hardware and softwarecomponents, or alternatively only the software components that, whenexecuted, carry out certain functions. The “server” may be furtherintegrated with a database management system and one or more associateddatabases.

In accordance with the descriptions herein, the term “computer readablemedium,” as used herein, refers to any non-transitory media thatparticipates in providing instructions to the processor 130 forexecution. Such a non-transitory medium may take many forms, includingbut not limited to volatile and non-volatile media. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical or magnetic disks. Volatile mediaincludes dynamic memory for example and does not include transitorysignals, carrier waves, or the like.

In addition and further in accordance with the descriptions herein, theterm “logic,” as used herein, with respect to FIG. 1, includes hardware,firmware, software in execution on a machine, and/or combinations ofeach to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause afunction or action from another logic, method, and/or system. Logic mayinclude a software controlled microprocessor, a discrete logic (e.g.,ASIC), an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a programmed logic device,a memory device containing instructions, and so on. Logic may includeone or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate theinvention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of thedisclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of theinvention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention shouldbe construed to include everything within the scope of the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

1. An event detection and reporting system in a vehicle, the systemcomprising: a camera configured to capture video data; one or moresensors configured to capture non-video data; a GPS module; one or morememory modules; and a processor, coupled to the camera, the sensor, theGPS module and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to:operate the system in an unrestricted mode in which the captured videodata and non-video data are correlated and recorded in the one or morememory modules in an unobscured data format, detect that the vehicle isapproaching or is in an area in which the recordation of data isrestricted by rule, operate the system in a restricted mode in responseto detecting that the vehicle is approaching or is in the area in whichthe recordation of data is restricted, record, while the system is inthe restricted mode, either of the correlated video or non-video data inthe one or more memory modules in an obscured data format that maintainsthe correlation of the unobscured data format, and record, while thesystem is in the restricted mode, the other of the correlated video ornon-video data in the one or more memory modules in the unobscured dataformat.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the video data and non-videodata are recorded based a detected driving or vehicle event.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the captured non-video data is correlated tothe video data using timestamps, embedded tags or frame headers.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to detect thatthe vehicle is approaching or is in an area in which the recordation ofdata is restricted by comparing vehicle location data provided by theGPS module to restricted area data stored in the one or more memorymodules.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: detect a type of restriction associated with the area,and select one or part of one of the video or non-video data to obscurebased on the detected type of restriction.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the processor is configured to obscure the captured video databy modifying one or more image setting of the camera such that detailsof imagery comprising the video data are not readily or at alldiscernible.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the non-video datafurther comprises vehicle location data provided by the GPS module, andwherein the processor is configured to obscure the vehicle location databy obscuring details of the vehicle location data such that a locationof the area in which the recordation of data is restricted is notreadily or at all discernible from the recorded non-video data.
 8. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors comprises amicrophone configured to capture audio data such that the non-video datacomprises audio data, wherein processor is configured to obscure thecaptured audio data by modifying one or more audio settings of themicrophone such that details of sound comprising the audio data are notreadily or at all discernible.
 9. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a wireless transceiver, coupled to the processor, wherein theprocessor is further configured to transmit, via the wirelesstransceiver to a remote server, the correlated video and non-video datatogether in one of the following manners: the video data in the obscureddata format and the non-video data in the unobscured data format, or thevideo data in the unobscured data format and the non-video data in theobscured data format.
 10. A method for providing location-dependentrecording modes for an event detection and reporting system of avehicle, the method comprising: operating the event detection andreporting system in an unrestricted mode in which video data captured bya camera and non-video data captured by one or more sensors arecorrelated and recorded in one or more memory modules of the system inan unobscured data format; detecting that the vehicle is approaching oris in an area in which the recordation of data is restricted by rule;operating the event detection and reporting system in a restricted modein response to detecting that the vehicle is approaching or is in thearea in which the recordation of data is restricted; and recording,while the event detection and reporting system is in the restrictedmode, either of the correlated video or non-video data in the one ormore memory modules in an obscured data format that maintains thecorrelation of the unobscured data format; and recording, while theevent detection and reporting system is in the restricted mode, theother of the correlated video or non-video data in the one or morememory modules in the unobscured data format.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the video data and non-video data are recorded based adetected driving or vehicle event.
 12. The method of claim 10, whereinthe captured non-video data is correlated to the video data usingtimestamps, embedded tags or frame headers.
 13. The method of claim 10,wherein detecting that the vehicle is approaching or is in the area inwhich the recordation of data is restricted comprises comparing vehiclelocation data provided by a GPS module of the event detection andreporting system to restricted area data stored in the one or morememory modules.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:detecting a type of restriction associated with the area; and selectingone or part of one of the video or non-video data to obscure based onthe detected type of restriction.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising providing the captured video data in the obscured data formatby modifying one or more image setting of the camera such that detailsof imagery comprising the video data are not readily or at alldiscernible.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the non-video datafurther comprises vehicle location data provided by the GPS module, andwherein the method further comprises providing vehicle location data inthe obscured data format by obscuring details of the vehicle locationdata such that a location of the area in which the recordation of datais restricted is not readily or at all discernible from the recordednon-video data.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or moresensors comprises a microphone configured to capture audio data suchthat the non-video data comprises audio data, and wherein method furthercomprises providing the captured audio data in the obscured data formatby modifying one or more audio settings of the microphone such thatdetails of sound comprising the audio data are not readily or at alldiscernible.
 18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:transmitting, via a wireless transceiver of the vehicle to a remoteserver, the correlated video and non-video data together in one of thefollowing manners: the video data in the obscured data format and thenon-video data in the unobscured data format, or the video data in theunobscured data format and the non-video data in the obscured dataformat.